Question: Now that Sasha Alexander was killed off NCIS, will she be returning in any way to the show? — Joe Ausiello: Sort of. Bellisario hints that Kate's presence will be felt "in a strange way" in next fall's season premiere.
Question: OK, I'll bite: Your AA cliff-hanger from last week said that you have "one unbelievable spoiler about next season's Lost." So let's hear it! — Sharla Ausiello: All right, here it is: MAJOR SPOILER ALERT! (More space) Remember the fellow passenger Jack met in the airport cafe prior to boarding the doomed flight? You know, the one played by Michelle Rodriguez in the May 18 episode? Well, there's a big — no, make that huge — twist coming in Season 2 involving her. I can't say more than that.
Question: Yo, Mike — 'sup, dude! — Jason Ausiello: Oh, not too much. Just sitting all alone in the office on Memorial Day writing AA. You?
Question: Any info on who's going to take over as captain of the Farmington district now that Glenn Close has decided to bail? — Bill Ausiello: I asked Shield creator Shawn Ryan whether he would consider bringing in another A-lister to replace Close next season, and here's what he said: "I don't know. That won't be the first priority. There's no desire on my part to just flatly try to hire an A-lister for the sake of hiring somebody. We feel the show stood on its own for three seasons before Glenn Close; it was the quality of the show that drew Glenn Close to it. So as much as she added, we don't feel like we can't move on without her. We'll see what happens." Personally, I'd like to see CCH (pronounced "Shhhhhhhhhhhh!") get her chance in the hot seat.
Question: Since Jake in Progress has been renewed, does that mean that cutie Julie Bowen will be back, too? — John Ausiello: Not likely, considering she's joining the cast of Boston Legal as a series regular. But don't rule out a guest appearance or two if the scheduling can be worked out.
Question: I have to ask: How many pervs wanted a direct link to slutty Julie's website (Ask Ausiello 5/25)? — Tiana Ausiello: Would you believe just two?
Question: Hey, Mike: Is the Force with you? — Mike Ausiello: It's Memorial Day and I'm at work — you tell me.
Question: Will there be any newcomers on the second season of Veronica Mars? — Victoria Artis Ausiello: I'm hoping to interview Rob Thomas sometime in the next two weeks, so I'll ask him then. Meanwhile, if you've got any burning questions for Mars' main man, send 'em my way! (FYI: Any Q's with the words "door," "behind" or "who's" in them will be discarded immediately.)
Question: You should write for Joey. Your lack of humor would fit the show perfectly. — Aldo Ausiello: Oh yeah, well... your name is Aldo. So there.
Question: Will Logan (Matt Czuchry) become a regular next season on Gilmore Girls? — Adriana Ausiello: He'll be back for the entire season, but I'm not sure he'll technically be considered a regular.
Question: Where is Behrooz!?!? I'm organizing a search party. Care to join? — Eric Ausiello: I found him! Keep reading!
Question: What an Alias finale! I nearly jumped out of my seat when their car got hit! Is Michael Vartan coming back for the fifth season of Alias? That accident seemed like a pretty good way to kill his character off. — Kelly Molln Ausiello: Yeah, as I mentioned in Entertainment News last week, that little curveball (nearly) made me soil my undies. I honestly don't know how anyone could have survived it. But as of now, the plan is to have Vartan and Vaughn back next season. And from what I'm hearing about the story, you're gonna love it. I'd even go so far as to say it's awesome.
Question: Who will take Kate's place on NCIS? — Darlene Ausiello: Bellisario is currently holding auditions for her successor and hopes to have the role cast by mid-July. "I am looking to globalize the show, so I am going to cast someone who is non-American — maybe an Australian," he reveals. "I want to bring somebody in who is different from Kate, a girl who is more sexually open. Kate was uptight. I think [the new girl] will give Tony a run for his money." That's just what TV needs: another slut in uniform.
Question: Did you know that there's an awesome campaign going right now to raise money to place a "For Your Consideration" Emmy ad for Lauren Graham in The Hollywood Reporter? Fans have raised more than $1000 in less than a week! — Stacey Ausiello: This is the first I'm hearing of it. Are they using TV Guide's quote from the Dream Emmy Ballot? Because it was tailor-made for this kind of thing. Also, who's creating this ad? I hope it's a professional designer, because, no offense, I've seen some of these fan-funded ads and, well, I worry that they do more harm than good. That said, I'm a sucker for a worthy cause, so count me in for $50 provided the contribution is tax deductable.
Question: OK, we all know Six Feet Under had a pretty rotten fourth season. Is there any chance of its returning to form in its final season? — Phil Ausiello: It depends. Do you like your SFU dour, predictable and sporadically compelling? If so, you're in luck, because the show delivers in spades. Based on the first two episodes (yes, I watched them over the weekend), everyone's either crazy, depressed or — in the case of David and Keith — dull. Oh, and while we're on the subject, I must clarify an earlier spoiler in which I said the season starts with Nate and Brenda already married (Ask Ausiello 5/11). Turns out that's not exactly true. The season premiere pretty much revolves around their nuptials. Someone misled me — and that someone will pay.
Question: Michael Ausiello — I think I love you. But I'm sad because I just found out that two of my favorite Boston Legal stars — Monica Potter and Rhona Mitra — are leaving. Why? — Garrett Ausiello: Apparently, Julie Bowen don't come cheap.
Question: What's the shocker in the first 10 minutes of the new season of Rescue Me? Violent death? — Andrew Ausiello: MAJOR SPOILER ALERT! (More space) Yes, a major character bites it. But, alas — there's a twist.
Question: Is Emily Procter coming back to CSI: Miami next season? — Louise Ausiello: MAJOR SPOILER ALERT! (More space) Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Question: What happened to Behrooz on 24? They never told us! — Tom Ausiello: He's alive, sweet Jesus, he's alive! Turns out a scene where Jack learns what happened to the little teen terrorist who couldn't got cut from the finale. For the scoop on that MIA sequence — and other burning cliff-hanger mysteries — be sure to pick up the June 12 issue of TV Guide magazine (on sale June 9).
Question: Any information about the next season of Joey? — Ellen Ausiello: Sources say producers are looking to introduce a David Spade-type sidekick to try to liven things up. Among those up for the role: David Spade.
Question: I live in NYC. Wanna go for some fro-yo sometime? — Kelly Ausiello: I'll tell you what: Why don't you drop off the cash with our receptionist and I'll get a cone on my way home from work. Deal?
Question: What was your favorite season finale last week? — Zak Ausiello: Just from last week's batch? Let's see... 24, followed by Everwood, Lost, House and Alias. If we open it up to the entire month of May, the list would look like this: Veronica Mars, Deadwood, 24, the 5/18 AA, Gilmore Girls, Everwood, Lost, House, Alias and CSI.